Supersonic Flow Modes of Annular Cavities at Angles of Attack

This paper presents experimental studies of a supersonic flow around axisymmetric annular cavities on pointed cylindrical bodies at angles of attack. A single- and multimode flow around the cavity is observed in a wide range of determining parameters (relative length of the cavity L/h and angle of attack α). Reversible and irreversible switching of flow modes in the cavity occurs with a continuous change in the determining parameters. In a closed cavity, with an increase in the angle of attack, a local pressure increase is recorded on the leeward side of the rear step, exceeding the pressure on the windward side of the same step.